Connecting device

Abstract

To reduce the storage space required when the camping trailer is detached from the self-propelled vehicle and in an unconnected state. [Solution] The coupling device 1 is installed on the camping trailer (towed vehicle) CA and connects the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle (towing vehicle) VE. The coupling device 1 includes a main body member 3 that can switch between a coupled state in which the camping trailer CA is coupled to the self-propelled vehicle VE and an uncoupled state in which the camping trailer CA is uncoupled from the self-propelled vehicle VE. The main body member 3 extends in the front-rear direction X in the coupled state, and can be transformed into a storage configuration that extends in the up-down direction Z in the uncoupled state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting device.

Background Art

[0002] A connecting and towing device (connecting device) for connecting a self-propelled vehicle and a camping trailer is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the connecting and towing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, by connecting a camping trailer to a self-propelled vehicle, the camping trailer can be towed by the self-propelled vehicle. [[ID=?]] [[ID=?]]

[0005] [[ID=?]] [[ID=?]] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, there was room for improvement in the storage location of the connecting and towing device (connecting device) in the non-connected state where the camping trailer was detached from the self-propelled vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connecting device capable of reducing the size of the storage location in the non-connected state where the camping trailer is detached from the self-propelled vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] It seems there are some repeated or incorrect tags in the original text which might need to be checked. Also, some of the tags like - and - seem to be duplicates in the way they are presented in the translation task. I've translated as accurately as possible based on the provided rules.To solve the above problems, the coupling device according to the present invention is provided on a towed vehicle and connects the towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The coupling device includes a main body member that can switch between a coupled state in which the towed vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle and an uncoupled state in which the towed vehicle is disconnected from the towing vehicle. The main body member extends in the front-rear direction in the coupled state, while it can be transformed into a storage configuration that extends in the vertical direction in the uncoupled state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the coupling device of the present invention, because it has the above configuration, the storage space required when the towed vehicle is uncoupled from the towing vehicle can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein, including not only essential components of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the coupling device according to the first embodiment, in which a self-propelled vehicle (towing vehicle) and a camping trailer (towed vehicle) are connected. Figure 1(b) is a side view of Figure 1(a). [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the coupling device shown in Figure 1(a). Figure 2(b) is a side view of Figure 2(a). [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupling device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view of the connected state shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded assembly diagram of the coupling device shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the process of changing from the connected state shown in Figure 1 to the disconnected state. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is a perspective view showing the process of changing from the unconnected state shown in Figure 6 to the stored state. Figure 7(b) is a side view of Figure 1A. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the connected state of the coupling device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the storage configuration of the coupling device shown in Figure 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Embodiment] Referring to the attached drawings, the details of the coupling device (coupling traction device) according to the present invention are as follows. Furthermore, the following embodiments include, in addition to the essential requirements of the present invention, requirements that can be selectively adopted and requirements that can be appropriately combined.

[0011] [First Embodiment] The configuration of the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the coupling device 1 according to the first embodiment in a state in which a self-propelled vehicle (towing vehicle) VE and a camping trailer (towed vehicle) CA are connected. Figure 1(b) is a side view of Figure 1(a). Figure 2(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the coupling device 1 shown in Figure 1(a). Figure 2(b) is a side view of Figure 2(a). Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupling device 1 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a side view of the connected state shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an exploded assembly view of the coupling device 1 shown in Figure 3.

[0012] The coupling device 1 is what is commonly known as a hitch member, and is installed on the camping trailer CA to connect the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE. The camping trailer CA is an example of a towed vehicle, and the self-propelled vehicle VE is an example of a towing vehicle. The camping trailer CA cannot move on its own, but it can be towed by being coupled to the self-propelled vehicle VE. In other words, the camping trailer CA is movable by the self-propelled vehicle VE.

[0013] Camping trailer CAs, for example, have a living space inside, allowing for overnight stays in the interior while the trailer is parked.

[0014] The camping trailer CA is provided with a door DO for getting on and off the camping trailer CA, and, for example, a kitchen, a bed, a toilet, etc., not shown in the figure, are provided inside. Further, the camping trailer CA is provided with a pair of tires TI.

[0015] The self-propelled vehicle VE is, for example, a gasoline vehicle, an electric vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc., and can self-propel by fuel such as gasoline or electricity. The self-propelled vehicle VE is disposed in front F of the camping trailer CA in the connected state of the connecting device 1 described later.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting device 1 according to the present invention includes a front-rear direction X, a left-right direction Y, and an up-down direction Z.

[0017] The front-rear direction X is the direction in which the self-propelled vehicle VE and the camping trailer CA are aligned. The left-right direction Y is orthogonal to the front-rear direction X and the up-down direction Z. That is, the front-rear direction X, the left-right direction Y, and the up-down direction Z are orthogonal to each other.

[0018] The front-rear direction X includes a front F from the camping trailer CA toward the self-propelled vehicle VE and a rear B from the self-propelled vehicle VE toward the camping trailer CA. The left-right direction Y includes one direction (for example, the left direction) L and the other direction (for example, the right direction) R. The up-down direction Z includes an upper U and a lower D.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the connecting device 1 is provided on the camping trailer CA. More specifically, the connecting device 1 is provided at the front F in the front-rear direction X of the camping trailer CA. And the connecting device 1 connects the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE.

[0020] The coupling device 1 includes, for example, one fixing member 2, one main body member 3, a plurality of shaft members 4, and one latching member 5. The fixing member 2 includes a fixing member body 21 that fixes the coupling device 1 to the camping trailer CA, and a plurality of protruding portions 22 that protrude forward F in the longitudinal direction X from the fixing member body 21. In other words, the fixing member 2 is fixed to the camping trailer CA by the fixing member body 21.

[0021] The multiple protruding portions 22 according to this embodiment are composed of a first protruding portion 22a, a second protruding portion 22b, and a third protruding portion 22c. In other words, the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment has three protruding portions 22.

[0022] The first protruding portion 22a is located in the center of the left-right direction Y when viewed from the vertical direction Z. The second protruding portion 22b is located on one side of the left-right direction Y relative to the first protruding portion 22a when viewed from the vertical direction Z. The third protruding portion 22c is located on the other side of the left-right direction Y relative to the first protruding portion 22a when viewed from the vertical direction Z. A first stopper 31ST is provided on the first protruding portion 22a. The first stopper 31ST will be described later.

[0023] The first protruding portion 22a extends in the front-rear direction X and has a front end portion 221a at its front end F in the front-rear direction X. The front end portion 221a has a pair of first opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of first opposing portions has a first through hole 221aH that penetrates the first opposing portion in the left-right direction Y. The first protruding portion also has a pair of second opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of second opposing portions has a second through hole 22aH that penetrates the second opposing portion in the left-right direction Y. A second stopper 32ST is provided on this second protruding portion 22b. The second stopper 32ST will be described later.

[0024] The second protruding portion 22b extends in the front-rear direction X and has a front end portion 221b at its front end F in the front-rear direction X. The front end portion 221b has a pair of first opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of first opposing portions has a first through hole 221bH that penetrates the first opposing portion in the left-right direction Y. The second protruding portion also has a pair of second opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of second opposing portions has a second through hole 22bH that penetrates the second opposing portion in the left-right direction Y. A third stopper 33ST is provided on this third protruding portion 22c. The third stopper 33ST will be described later.

[0025] The third protruding portion 22c extends in the front-rear direction X and has a front end portion 221c at its front end F in the front-rear direction X. The front end portion 221c has a pair of first opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of first opposing portions has a first through hole 221cH that penetrates the first opposing portion in the left-right direction Y. The first protruding portion also has a pair of second opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of second opposing portions has a third through hole 22cH that penetrates the second opposing portion in the left-right direction Y.

[0026] The main body member 3 can be switched between a connected state in which the camping trailer CA is connected to the self-propelled vehicle VE (see Figure 1) and an unconnected state in which the camping trailer CA is detached from the self-propelled vehicle VE (see Figure 7(a)). In the connected state shown in Figure 1, the main body member 3 extends in the front-rear direction X, while in the unconnected state shown in Figure 7(a), it can be transformed into a storage configuration that extends in the up-down direction Z.

[0027] The main body component 3 comprises a first portion 31, a second portion 32, and a third portion 33.

[0028] The first part 31 extends linearly from the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE in the longitudinal direction X when connected.

[0029] The second part 32 extends linearly from the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE in the longitudinal direction X when connected, and then connects to the first part 31.

[0030] The third section 33 extends linearly from the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE in the longitudinal direction X when connected, and then connects to the first section 31.

[0031] The first portion 31 has a rear end portion 31a at its rear end B in the front-rear direction X. A third through hole 31aH is formed in the rear end portion 31a, which penetrates the rear end portion 31a in the left-right direction Y. The first portion 31 also has a first locking portion 31b for locking the first portion 31 to the first protruding portion 22a. The first locking portion 31b has a pair of third opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of third opposing portions has a fourth through hole 31bH that penetrates the third opposing portion in the left-right direction Y.

[0032] Furthermore, a fixing member 311 is provided at the front end of the first part 31 in the longitudinal direction X, which is fixed to the self-propelled vehicle (see Figure 7(a)). The fixing member 311 is formed, for example, in the shape of a plate, and when the coupling device 1 is connected, a through hole (not shown) is formed that penetrates the fixing member 311 in the vertical direction Z. The self-propelled vehicle VE is also provided with a fixing plate (not shown) for connecting the coupling device 1, and a through hole is formed in the fixing plate that penetrates the fixing plate in the vertical direction Z. The shafts of bolts constituting the fastening members are inserted through the through holes in the fixing member 311 and the fixing plate, and nuts constituting the fastening members are fastened to the shafts of the bolts, thereby fixing the coupling device 1 to the self-propelled vehicle VE.

[0033] In the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment, the state in which the self-propelled vehicle VE and the camping trailer CA are coupled via the coupling device 1 is referred to as the coupled state, The state in which the self-propelled vehicle VE and the camping trailer CA are not connected is called the unconnected state. Furthermore, in the unconnected state, the main body member 3 can be transformed into a connected mode that extends in the front-rear direction X and a storage mode that extends in the up-down direction Z.

[0034] The second portion 32 has a rear end portion 32a at its rear end B in the front-rear direction X. A third through hole 32aH is formed in the rear end portion 32a, which penetrates the rear end portion 32a in the left-right direction Y. The second portion 32 also has a second locking portion 32b for locking the second portion 32 to the second protruding portion 22b. The second locking portion 32b has a pair of third opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of third opposing portions has a fourth through hole 32bH that penetrates the third opposing portion in the left-right direction Y.

[0035] The third portion 33 has a rear end portion 33a at its rear end B in the front-rear direction X. A third through hole 33aH is formed in the rear end portion 33a, which penetrates the rear end portion 33a in the left-right direction Y. The third portion 33 also has a third locking portion 33b for locking the third portion 33 to the third protruding portion 22c. The third locking portion 33b has a pair of third opposing portions that face each other in the left-right direction Y, and each of the pair of third opposing portions has a fourth through hole 33bH that penetrates the third opposing portion in the left-right direction Y.

[0036] The multiple shaft members 4 are composed of a first shaft member 41, a second shaft member 42, and a third shaft member 43.

[0037] The first shaft member 41 connects the first portion 31 and the first protruding portion 22a. More specifically, the first shaft member 41 has a head and a shaft portion, and the shaft portion is inserted through the first through hole 221aH and also through the third through hole 31aH, thereby connecting the first portion 31 and the first protruding portion 22a.

[0038] The second shaft member 42 connects the second portion 32 and the second protruding portion 22b. More specifically, the second shaft member 42 has a head portion and a shaft portion, and the shaft portion is inserted through the first through hole 221bH and also through the third through hole 32aH, thereby connecting the second portion 32 and the second protruding portion 22b.

[0039] The third shaft member 43 connects the third portion 33 and the third protruding portion 22c. More specifically, the third shaft member 43 has a head and a shaft portion, and the shaft portion is inserted through the first through hole 221cH and also through the third through hole 33aH, thereby connecting the third portion 33 and the third protruding portion 22c.

[0040] The first stopper 31ST has a head portion and a shaft portion, and the shaft portion is inserted through the second through hole 22aH and also through the fourth through hole 31bH, thereby maintaining a connected configuration in which the first portion 31 and the first protruding portion 22a are connected.

[0041] The second stopper 32ST has a head portion and a shaft portion, and the shaft portion is inserted through the second through hole 22bH and also through the fourth through hole 32bH, thereby maintaining the connected configuration in which the second portion 32 and the second protruding portion 22b are connected.

[0042] The third stopper 33ST has a head portion and a shaft portion, and the shaft portion is inserted through the second through hole 22cH and also through the fourth through hole 33bH, thereby maintaining a connected configuration in which the third portion 33 and the third protruding portion 22c are connected.

[0043] A first damper DA1 is provided between the second protruding portion 22b and the second portion 32. The first damper DA1 is a suitable type of damper, such as a hydraulic damper, and comprises a cylindrical cylinder portion CY and a cylindrical rod portion RO, which is partially inserted into the cylinder portion CY. By sealing a fluid with appropriate viscosity in the cylinder portion CY, the first damper DA1 prevents the velocity of the second portion 32 from becoming excessively high relative to the second protruding portion 22b.

[0044] A second damper DA2 is provided between the third protruding portion 22c and the third portion 33. The configuration of the second damper DA2 is the same as that of the first damper DA1. Therefore, the second damper DA2 suppresses the speed of the third portion 33 from becoming excessively high relative to the third protruding portion 22c.

[0045] The latching member 5 is used to latch the main body member 3 in its stored configuration to the camping trailer CA. The latching member 5 comprises a plate-shaped portion 51, an extended portion 52, a pair of opposing portions 53, and a latching stopper 54.

[0046] The plate-shaped portion 51 is fixed to the camping trailer CA and is formed in a plate shape. The extended portion 52 protrudes forward F from the plate-shaped portion 51 and extends in the front-rear direction X. The pair of opposing portions 53 protrude forward F from the front end of the extended portion 52 and face each other in the left-right direction Y. In addition, each of the pair of opposing portions 53 has a through hole 5H that penetrates each of the opposing portions 53 in the left-right direction Y. The latch stopper 54 has a head portion and a shaft portion.

[0047] Then, with the first portion 31 of the main body member 3 in the storage configuration placed between the pair of opposing portions 53, the latching member 5 inserts the shaft portion of the latching stopper 54 into the respective through holes 5H of the pair of opposing portions 53, thereby latching the main body member 3 in the storage configuration to the camping trailer CA.

[0048] Next, we will explain how to switch from a state where the camping trailer CA is connected to the self-propelled vehicle VE to a state where it is not connected, using Figures 6 to 8.

[0049] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the process of changing from the connected state shown in Figure 1 to the disconnected state. Figure 7(a) is a perspective view showing the process of changing from the disconnected state shown in Figure 6 to the stored state. Figure 7(b) is a side view of Figure 7(a). Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 7. Note that in Figure 7(a), the main body member 3 in the stored state is shown by a solid line, and the main body member 3 in the connected state is shown by a dashed line.

[0050] The user of the camping trailer CA first removes the shaft portion of the first stopper 31ST from the second through hole 22aH and the fourth through hole 31bH, as shown in Figure 6, thereby releasing the connection between the first portion 31 and the first protruding portion 22a.

[0051] Next, the user removes the shaft portion of the second stopper 32ST from the second through hole 22bH and the fourth through hole 32bH, thereby releasing the connection between the second portion 32 and the second protruding portion 22b.

[0052] Next, the user removes the shaft portion of the third stopper 33ST from the third through hole 22cH and the fourth through hole 33bH, thereby releasing the connection between the third portion 33 and the third protruding portion 22c.

[0053] Next, the user rotates the main body member 3, which extends in the front-to-back direction X, in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 7(a), around the axis 41Y of the first shaft member 41, the axis 42Y of the second shaft member 42, and the axis 43Y of the third shaft member 43, thereby transforming the main body member 3 into a storage configuration that extends in the up-to-down direction Z.

[0054] Next, with the first portion 31 of the main body member 3 in storage mode placed between the pair of opposing portions 53, the user inserts the shaft portion of the latching stopper 54 into the respective through holes 5H of the pair of opposing portions 53, thereby latching the main body member 3 in storage mode to the camping trailer CA and completing the operation.

[0055] To change the main body member 3 from the storage configuration to the extended configuration, simply reverse the above procedure.

[0056] As described above, the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment is installed on a camping trailer CA and connects the camping trailer CA to a self-propelled vehicle VE. The coupling device 1 includes a main body member 3 that can switch between a coupled state in which the camping trailer CA is coupled to the self-propelled vehicle VE and an uncoupled state in which the camping trailer CA is detached from the self-propelled vehicle VE. The main body member 3 extends in the front-rear direction X in the coupled state, while it can be transformed into a storage configuration that extends in the up-down direction Z in the uncoupled state. For these reasons, the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the storage space required in the uncoupled state in which the camping trailer CA is detached from the self-propelled vehicle VE.

[0057] Furthermore, in the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment, the main body member 3 includes a first portion 31 that extends linearly from the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE in the longitudinal direction X when coupled, a second portion 32 that extends linearly from the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE in the longitudinal direction X when coupled and is then connected to the first portion 31, and a third portion 33 that extends linearly from the camping trailer CA to the self-propelled vehicle VE in the longitudinal direction X when coupled and is then connected to the first portion 31.

[0058] Furthermore, the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment further comprises a fixing member 2 fixed to the camping trailer CA. The fixing member 2 comprises a plurality of protruding portions 22 that protrude forward F in the front-rear direction X from the fixing member body 21.

[0059] Furthermore, in the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment, the plurality of protruding portions 22 are composed of a first protruding portion 22a located in the center of the left-right direction Y when viewed from the vertical direction Z, a second protruding portion 22b located on one side of the left-right direction Y relative to the first protruding portion 22a when viewed from the vertical direction Z, and a third protruding portion 22c located on the other side of the left-right direction Y relative to the first protruding portion 22a when viewed from the vertical direction Z. The first protruding portion 22a is connected to the first portion 31 via a first shaft member 41, the second protruding portion 22b is connected to the second portion 32 via a second shaft member 42, and the third protruding portion 22c is connected to the third portion 33 via a third shaft member 43.

[0060] Furthermore, in the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment, a first damper DA1 is provided between the second protruding portion 22b and the second portion 32, and a second damper DA2 is provided between the third protruding portion 22c and the third portion 33. For these reasons, in the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment, when returning the main body member 3 from the stored configuration to the coupled configuration, even if, for example, the user releases their hand from the main body member 3, the first damper DA1 and the second damper DA2 can suppress the main body member 3 from descending at an excessive speed, thereby preventing damage to the main body member 3.

[0061] [Second Embodiment] Next, the coupling device 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the coupling state (coupling configuration) of the coupling device 1 according to the second embodiment. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the storage configuration of the coupling device 1 shown in Figure 9. In the configuration of the coupling device 1A according to the second embodiment, components that are the same as those in the configuration of the coupling device 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9, the first locking portion 31bA of the coupling device 1A is further formed with a fifth through-hole 31bH2 that penetrates the first locking portion 31bA in the left-right direction Y.

[0063] Furthermore, a fifth through-hole 32bH2 is formed in the second locking portion 32bA of the coupling device 1A, which penetrates the second locking portion 32bA in the left-right direction Y.

[0064] Furthermore, a fifth through-hole 33bH2 is formed in the third locking portion 33bA of the coupling device 1A, which penetrates the third locking portion 33bA in the left-right direction Y.

[0065] In the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1A according to this embodiment, the shaft portion of the first stopper 31ST is inserted through the second through hole 22aH and also through the fourth through hole 31bH, thereby maintaining a coupling configuration in which the first portion 31 extends along the front-rear direction X and is connected to the first protruding portion 22a. In other words, the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1A is the same as the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, in the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1A according to this embodiment, the shaft portion of the second stopper 32ST is inserted through the second through hole 22bH and also through the fourth through hole 32bH, thereby maintaining a coupling configuration in which the second portion 32 extends along the front-rear direction X and is connected to the second protruding portion 22b. In other words, the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1A is the same as the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0067] Furthermore, in the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1A according to this embodiment, the shaft portion of the third stopper 33ST is inserted through the second through hole 22cH and also through the fourth through hole 33bH, thereby maintaining a coupling configuration in which the third portion 33 extends along the front-rear direction X and is connected to the third protruding portion 22c. In other words, the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1A is the same as the coupling configuration of the coupling device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0068] On the other hand, the storage configuration of the coupling device 1A differs from that of the coupling device 1 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 10.

[0069] The shaft portion of the first stopper 31ST is inserted through the second through hole 22aH and also through the fifth through hole 31bH2, thereby maintaining a storage configuration in which the first portion 31 extends along the vertical direction Z.

[0070] The shaft portion of the second stopper 32ST is inserted through the second through hole 22bH and also through the fifth through hole 32bH2, thereby maintaining a storage configuration in which the second portion 32 extends along the vertical direction Z.

[0071] The shaft portion of the third stopper 33ST is inserted through the second through hole 22cH and also through the fifth through hole 33bH2, thereby maintaining a storage configuration in which the third portion 33 extends along the vertical direction Z.

[0072] As described above, the first locking portion 31bA of the coupling device 1A according to this embodiment has a fourth through hole 31bH and a fifth through hole 31bH2. The second locking portion 32bA of the coupling device 1A also has a fourth through hole 32bH and a fifth through hole 32bH2. Furthermore, the third locking portion 33bA of the coupling device 1A has a fourth through hole 33bH and a fifth through hole 33bH2. In the housing configuration of the main body member 3, the shaft portion of the first stopper 31ST is inserted through the second through hole 22aH and the fifth through hole 31bH2, respectively, the shaft portion of the second stopper 32ST is inserted through the second through hole 22bH and the fifth through hole 32bH2, respectively, and the shaft portion of the third stopper 33ST is inserted through the second through hole 22cH and the fifth through hole 33bH2, respectively. Therefore, in the storage configuration of the main body member 3, the first stopper 31ST, the second stopper 32ST, and the third stopper 33ST can reliably maintain the posture of the main body member 3 in the storage configuration. Furthermore, in the coupling device 1A according to this embodiment, the posture of the main body member 33 is maintained using the first stopper 31ST, the second stopper 32ST, and the third stopper 33ST, thus preventing the loss of the first stopper 31ST, the second stopper 32ST, and the third stopper 33ST.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the coupling device 1 was explained in the case where the towed vehicle is a camping trailer CA. However, the coupling device 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to other trailers such as cargo trailers or kitchen trailers as the towed vehicle.

[0074] Although the above has been described based on embodiments of the coupling devices 1 and 1A according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is also included in configurations that appropriately combine some of the components of the above-described embodiments. Such configurations that make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and this will be clear to those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1, 1A coupling device 2 Fixing members 21 Fixing member body 22 Protruding part 22a 1st protruding part 22b 2nd protruding part 22c 3rd protruding part 3 Main body components 31 Part 1 32 Part 2 33 Part 3 4 Shaft member 41 First shaft member 42 2nd shaft member 43 Third shaft member CA Camping Trailer (Towed Vehicle) DA1 1st Damper DA2 2nd damper VE Self-propelled vehicle (tow vehicle) X Anteroposterior direction Y left / right direction Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A coupling device provided on a towed vehicle, which connects the towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, The coupling device is The state in which the towed vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle, The main body member is equipped with a switchable configuration in which the towed vehicle is disconnected from the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle is disconnected from the towing vehicle. The main body member extends in the front-to-back direction when connected, while it can be transformed into a storage configuration that extends in the up-to-down direction when unconnected. Coupling device.

2. The main body member is In the front-rear direction of the connected state, a first portion extends linearly from the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle, In the aforementioned connected state, in the front-rear direction, a second portion extends linearly from the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle and is then connected to the first portion, In the aforementioned connected state, in the front-rear direction, a third portion extends linearly from the towed vehicle toward the towing vehicle and is then connected to the first portion, Equipped with, The coupling device according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle further comprises a fixing member fixed to the towed vehicle, The fixing member comprises a plurality of protruding portions that project forward in the front-rear direction from the fixing member body. The coupling device according to claim 2.

4. Multiple protruding parts, When viewed from the above and below, the first protruding portion is located in the center in the left-right direction, When viewed from the above and below, the second protruding portion is located in one of the left-right directions relative to the first protruding portion, When viewed from the above and below, the third protruding portion is located in the other direction in the left and right direction relative to the first protruding portion, It is composed of, The first protruding portion is connected to the first portion via the first shaft member, The second protruding portion is connected to the second portion via the second shaft member, The third protruding portion is connected to the third portion via the third axial member. The coupling device according to claim 3.

5. A first damper is provided between the second protruding portion and the second portion. A second damper is provided between the third protruding portion and the third portion. The coupling device according to claim 4.

Images